The Childhood Adversity Narratives (CAN) is a resource to inform policymakers and the public about the costs and consequences of child maltreatment and adversity. Given national discussion about many aspects of child trauma—including related Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study and other educational and policy activities—authors Frank Putnam, MD, William Harris, PhD, Alicia Lieberman, PhD, Karen Putnam, PhD, and Lisa Amaya-Jackson, MD have created a useful resource to (1) address the different approaches and terms used regarding these issues, (2) highlight the findings of the original ACE study and its replicated research, and (3) provide related information and resources. The authors hope to set the stage for enhanced discussion of

national and state solutions, including those that are available through the National Child Traumatic Stress

Network. The CAN authors invite others to use these materials in ways that benefit children and families who have experienced any childhood adversities. Click here to access to a PDF of the information, while related slides and additional information are available at www.CANarratives.org.

New Page: Responding to Community Disparities—Resources for Families

Visit our new resource page on NCTSN.org, "Responding to Community Disparities." The page features

resources for parents and providers living in areas where there has been community unrest, advice regarding media coverage of these events, guidance on helping children and adolescents who have been exposed to

experiencing a tornado. In the story, Trinka and Sam, two small mice, become scared and worried after a severe tornado damages their community. The story describes their reactions and shows how their parents help them to express their feelings and feel safer. In the back of the booklet, readers will find a parent guide with ways that parents can use the story with their children.

Many thanks to Chanda Ghosh Ippen from ETTN for creating this brilliant Trinka and Sam series and to the Joplin School District for collaborating with us on the newest episode in little Trinka and Sam’s challenging but resilient life, Trinka and Sam and the Swirling Twirling Wind.

New Information on Teen Sexual Assault

We have two new multi-page factsheets on Teen Sexual Assault, originally created for the webinar When “NO” is Not Enough: Information on Teen Sex-ual Assault. Teen Sexual Assault: Information for Teens (1) explains the dif-ference between consent and coercion; (2) defines and answers common questions about sexual assault and teen dating violence; (3) delineates how drugs and alcohol interfere with safety; (4) details how teens can protect themselves; (5) describes the steps to take if assaulted sexually and where to go for more information; and (6) explores the common misconceptions teens may have about sexual assault. Teen Sexual Assault: Information for Parents covers the same information, in addition to ways parents can help to protect their teenager.

This year marks the 27th anniversary of National Foster Care Month. Originally envisioned by the National Foster Parent Association as a way to recognize the contributions of foster caregivers, National Foster Care Month expanded into a campaign that draws attention to the needs of children in foster care, spotlights the importance of permanency for them, and celebrates the contributions of those who work to help children in foster care. In 2013, there were an estimated 402,378 children in foster care (Adoption and Foster Care Anal-ysis and Reporting System). A child can be removed from the home and placed in foster care for a variety of reasons including abuse or neglect, parent-child conflict, and the presence of serious physical or behavioral problems in the child beyond the ability of the family/home to resolve. The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) has compiled a list of helpful resources for birth parents, child welfare and mental health professionals, and youth that address the needs of children and adolescents in foster care including mental health treatment, permanency planning, and the transition to independence for older foster care youth.

(2) Social media aficionados can take part in the National #HeroesofHope social media activity through the end of May (post or tweet a message, about those who have been #HeroesofHope in your community over the last ten years).

(3) Spread the Word about the May 7 Awareness Day “Text, Talk, Act” event for high school students: a Na-tional Dialogue on Mental “Creating Community Solutions. Encourage students in your community to partici-pate together.”

Noteworthy Resources

NCTSN Earthquake Resources

Nepal is dealing with the horrific aftermath of a 7.8 earthquake. Families are keeping tabs on the news by way of televisions, computers, and social media. Witnessing the images of the devastation, US citizens may feel sorrowful and helpless. Depending where they live in the US, they may also worry about the possibility of such an earthquake happening in their area. Parents may wonder what to say to their children, how to an¬swer their children’s questions, and how to reassure their children that they can keep them safe, when the world gives so much evidence to the contrary. Follow this link to our Recovery: After an Earthquake, where you will find resources for parents and teachers on how best to help the children in their care who turn to them for answers.

The new app, FOCUS on Foster Families

Designed to help support youth and caregivers as they navigate common challenges. The app includes an extensive library of video interviews with youth and foster/adoptive caregivers discussing what they have found helpful and experts advising on how best to navigate the legal, school, and child welfare sys¬tems. These videos give tips, demonstrations,

strategies, interactive games, and more to explore a variety of questions such as these: What does it feel like to a child to come into a new home? What are foster youth looking for from their caregivers? How do I pre¬pare kids for a visit with their birth parent? FOCUS in a program that teaches families to build on their strengths and overcome challenges through problem solving, goal setting, communication, emotional regula¬tion, and managing trauma and stress.

The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges has released an online guide, Preparing for a Trauma Consultation in Your Juvenile and Family Court, that outlines what courts need to know about a trau-ma consultation (also known as a "trauma audit") and how such a consultation can help courts become more trauma-informed across environment, practice, and policy. Based on work with over a dozen courts across the country, the guide outlines a conceptual and basic operational framework for trauma-informed courts—including positioning them as a critical stakeholder in a healing community. Supported by funding from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the guide will have updates with advances in the field as they emerge. For more information on court trauma consultations or audits, please contact Dr. Shawn Marsh at smarsh@ncjfcj.org or Dr. Alicia Summers at asummers@ncjfcj.org.

The Institute for Translational Research in Children’s Mental Health (ITR), an interdisciplinary Center and one of its missions is to conduct basic and applied multilevel research investigations on aspects of child and adolescent mental health that are translated into the development and implementation of theoretically in-formed randomized control trial evidence-based interventions, is having their inaugural symposium. Come hear from experts in the field!

Presented to you by CWLA and the NCTSN, this webinar will provide an overview of how trauma experienced by birth parents involved in the child welfare system can impact their engagement with staff, participation in ser-vices and likelihood of reaching goals. It will provide child welfare providers with information about how to iden¬tify and mitigate parents’ trauma responses, and strategies for making their work with parents more trauma-informed and successful.

One CEU credit hour is available for this webinar presentation. There is a $20 fee for CEUs for non-members and a $10 fee for CWLA members. If you are interested in CEUs, please e-mail memberservices@cwla.org for details.

The Trauma Training Academy from The Family Center at Kennedy Krieger Institute is hosting a workshop. Designed for professionals who routinely interact with adolescents in the urban setting, this workshop seeks to enhance participants’ understanding of the often complicated and difficult-to-recognize clinical presenta-tions of adolescents who have experienced complex trauma and are interacting with multiple service sys-tems. This workshop will help participants recognize potential complex trauma symptomology, learn engage-ment strategies, utilize intervention techniques, and address issues of risk management.

Fee: $250

Registration: For information and registration for the training, click on the event page